Now that summertime is over, it’s time for us to switch gears and start looking ahead towards the coming months of Fall and Winter. A change in climate also means a change in our daily beauty routine. Here are some of my favorite tips!

Preventing flaky, dry skin.

Most of us associate wearing SPF with summertime or being under direct sunlight when in fact, the sun is always out, even when it’s barely visible behind the clouds. Wearing SPF when leaving the house is an absolute must! Sunscreen prevents free radical damage to the skin and can delay the aging process along with a healthy diet free of simple carbs, sugar, excess salt, and dairy. Along with combatting dry skin, I usually take an Omega-3 supplement which boosts hydration. If you’re not the kind of person to be militant about taking supplements, I recommend consuming a diet rich in good fatty acids like avocados, almonds, fish, kale, and flaxseed.

Preventing dry hair, dry scalp.

Cold weather is synonymous with having dull and brittle hair. To keep your hair soft, healthy, and strong throughout the colder months, refrain from shampooing as frequently as shampoo can strip your hair of its natural oils, causing the glands to overproduce. If you can’t stand to go for days without washing your hair, I recommend a dry shampoo. I also like to add a little bit of hair oil (Moroccan Oil makes a great one) before my hair dries to prevent split ends and add moisture. Finally, if all else fails, use a homemade hair mask. A simple, effective hair mask I use is one made of ½ cup of plain yogurt. I simply massage it into damp hair and leave it in for half an hour after which I rinse it out with warm water. The lactic acid in yogurt helps add moisture to your hair while cleaning as well.

Dr. Richard Benveniste is a top periodontist who has served three terms on the California State Board of Dental Examiners. In addition, he has also served as the regional chairman of the American Cancer Society. Practicing good dental hygiene is a reflection both our internal health and our external beauty. The mouth is interconnected with the whole body and poor mouth hygiene is symptomatic of other diseases in the body. We may not realize it, but the most beautiful part of your face is your mouth because it is connected to our lips, our smile, and eating.

*Question: Why is periodontal health so important?

Dr. B: The mouth is the pathway to the entire body

*Question: What are some diseases that are strongly related to dental health of the mouth?

Dr. B: Besides Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, arthritis, lung disease and a strong link to Alzheimer’s have been linked to dental health. In recent years there has also being a strong correlation to some cancers including mouth cancer and a possible link to many other cancers of the body shown by university research and studies. The bacteria in your mouth travel throughout your whole body so all of this makes sense in terms of origination. If your mouth is infected it affects the rest if your body.

*Question: What is the best way to prevent periodontal disease?

Dr B: The best way is to floss and brush daily. Also having regular periodontal check ups is most important because periodontal disease is not something you can feel until it is too late.

*Question: What are the signs that one should be very careful to identify

Dr. B: A basic cleaning out of the infected gums to prevent swallowing of the infection which also makes the mouth more acceptable on interpersonal basis

*Question: Is much pain involved by using needleless anesthetic delivery

Dr. B: Treatment could be completed easily without discomfort and a patient can usually go back to work the same day

*Question: What are the costs involved?

Dr. B: Treatment depends on what the patient wishes to accomplish ranging from just a basic infection removal and advance cases, bone filling procedures can also be offered when needed each case is individual

To find about more information about Dr. Benveniste’s practice you can visit his site at www.yourgums.com or make an appointment, 818-881-7337.

As many of you may know there is a lot of information out there about the Glycemic Index and how it affects blood sugar levels, diabetes, and overall health. During the course of my research, I had the opportunity to speak to expert nutritionist, Karen Cohen, about the GI Index and the importance of eating small meals throughout the day. Maintaining a healthy diet is not only an effective way to maintain your body weight, but it also has positive effects on sleep, critical thinking, and having energy throughout the day. With so much conflicting information out there, eating healthy can sometimes feel quite overwhelming. Essentially, we want to avoid foods that easily convert to sugar. Any simple carbohydrate like donuts, white bread, and desserts generally have a high glycemic index while insoluble fibers and complex carbs generally have a low to mid level glycemic index. I asked Karen to discriminate between good and bad carbohydrates because they are not all created equal! Grains such as quinoa and brown rice slow down the glycemic spike and if you do eat just white rice, make sure to pair it with something high in protein like beans. It is also important that to maintain a balanced, healthy lifestyle, you eat every four hours to prevent your blood sugar level from going down because then you overeat. Whether it’s snacking on nuts, fruit, or a healthy complex grain, always make sure to keep healthy options around the house in between meals.

When it comes to beauty, sometimes it pays to listen to tried and true wisdom. I’m talking about the importance of sleep. I cannot overemphasize the importance of getting a good night’s rest. Even though it may be obvious, many people don’t realize that sleep helps to regulate cellular respiration so that your metabolism is functioning at its maximum potential. Getting a good night’s sleep can help regulate/maintain your weight while keep you looking youthful. When you don’t get enough sleep, it affects hormones that regulate your hunger and appetite, making you more prone to overeating. Therefore, not getting enough sleep can actually make you heavier. Sleep also improves your overall health and emotional stability, giving you the ability and confidence to pursue your fitness goals. This has been scientifically proven. The amount of sleep you need is different depending on each person. This could be between 6 to 9 hours. Also, going to bed early can be a very good thing. so be sure and get an adequate amount of Z’s every single night!

Here are two great tips for beauty that are very inexpensive and will brighten your skin and smile!

1. Summer Smile; the natural way

It is extremely important to have a healthy looking smile. This means no yellow, brown or green stains. With just a couple of ingredients from your pantry, you can immediately begin seeing results. Start using baking soda with a bit of water to make a paste. Combine two tablespoons of baking soda with 4 tablespoons of water. Dip a clean toothbrush and apply the paste to your teeth. Brush thoroughly in a circular motion. This is a natural way to brighten teeth and keep your breath smelling fresh. Use it every day until you achieve desired results. If you eat foods that stain like coffee, tea or colored foods or berries then rinse immediately and do the baking soda paste. It is inexpensive and works great!

2. BAKING SODA SCRUB for skin

Baking Soda is a great scrub for your skin. It smooths and reduces your pores while brightening the skin. All you need to do is take a bit of baking soda and add a small amount of water to make a paste. Then use it on your face in a circular motion and when throughly clean, you rinse with warm water and blot dry. Remember to always apply broad spectrum SPF if entering daylight and a gentle toner if applying at night.

By now, i’m sure most of us have gotten in on the coconut craze whether it be in the form of water, oil, butter, etc…coconut oil has been used in countries like India for hundreds of years for shiny, strong, and healthy hair. As someone who loves holistic home remedies, i swear by coconut oil for beauty. it can be used for both skin and hair. I prefer the organic type which can be purchased at Trader Joes for 5.50 and will last you a long time.

I put coconut oil under my eyes and lips. I will also apply it generously to my face and let it soak in after a shower. If you want to give your hair a treat, heat some coconut oil in the microwave and slather into your hair. Then wrap it up in a plastic cap or towel for 30 minutes and rinse.

coconut oil can also be used for dry skin. Apply at night before bed for a special treat. It is simple, effective, and inexpensive and it smells yummy. Try coconut for an inexpensive and luxurious beauty treat. remember for best results, apply regularly.

Summertime and the livin’ should be easy…however, the story for our hair can sometimes be quite different. Some hair issues are harder to take care of than others. i know from firsthand that because i have curly hair, the summer weather is not particularly conducive to it. It can get frizzy and look unkempt depending on the weather and texture of your hair. Curly hair needs lots of conditioning.

Great over-the-counter products for curly hair are:

Moroccan Oil

Kerastase Bain Satin Shampoo (1, 2 or 3)

J.F. Lazartique Vita-Cream with Milk Proteins

Fekkai’s Serum

Bumble and Bumble Big Shine Serum

Redken All Soft Heavy Cream

Philip B. Rejuvenating Oil

Palvin-Bid Capillary Mask Deep Conditioner and Reconstructor

AG Ultramoist Treatment

Joico Moisture Recovery Intense Treatment

I keep my hair on the longer side so that it does not kink up. After a good wash, always comb your hair right away. If you put product in it and work it through with your head upside down and scrunch it with your hands it can make nice natural curls. Do not brush it. For smooth styles it pays to go to a blow dry bar. I can leave my hair for a week with a professional blow dry. If your hair is wavy or straight, a professional blow out can be nice to put body in the places that you want it. Blow dry bars have become very popular and because they are so regularly in high demand, they are quite financially accessible without breaking a hole in your wallet. if regularly going to the blow dry bar, however, is not within your means or schedule, there are plenty of fantastic at home solutions for keeping hair strong, healthy, and shiny throughout the summer. when going to the store, look for products such as coconut butter, vitamin e, and tea tree oil.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like panty lines. I think they make an outfit look tawdry but I don’t like to go without underwear either. After looking around for a solution to a recent gown issue, I discovered the best way to get rid of panty lines aside from going commando. I found my answer with Shibue, a stick on panty!

The Shibue Strapless Panty is a cleverly constructed panty that sticks on to the front and back of your body. When properly applied, it looks like a g-string with no sides. The strapless panty is held in place by a washable and reusable silicone gel adhesive across the front and back of the panty. It is very comfortable and can be taken of and on with ease, however it stays in place quite nicely and relieves the problem of panty lines when wearing a tight or sheer gown. I love this and highly recommend this for the panty line problem.

Scoop peanut butter and honey into large bowl
Microwave mixture until soft and melted
Slowly spoon in almond flour and protein powder to peanut butter/honey mixture until thoroughly combined (add water as needed)
The mixture should be firm enough to press together. If too dry, mix in lukewarm water.
After folding together all the ingredients, mold into balls or squares (your preference).
Press oatmeal on top of bars and sprinkle with coconut shreds.
Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.

When you’re in a crunch and don’t have time to wash, dry, and stylize your hair, one of the easiest ways to look chic and sophisticated without having to use a ton of product is to create the perfect top knot. Creating the perfect not so perfect top knot may sound ironic-but it is a great hairstyle for any occasion. Whether you’re dressed up or dressed down, this day to night hairdo is easy, quick, and requires little practice to master. To create this look, start off by using a large flat brush to comb out any knots or tangles in your hair. Then flip your hair over your head and run the brush through your hair again. This adds a little volume boost while ensuring that your hair is totally tangle-free. While still keeping your hair flipped over, use a hair tie to put your hair in a high ponytail (or wherever you want the bun to be placed on your head). Take the ponytail and twist it around the knot while securing stray hairs with bobby pins. And there you go!